Little Pringle pup and I are lucky to be traveling in Northern Minnesota this week! We are staying at just the cutest Airbnb in Tofte, MN. I have to say that stays up here get super pricy super fast, so be sure to book well in advance (we booked this cabin with no running water in December to ensure a good deal).
One of my favorite things to do up here is to listen to WTIP, North Shore Community Radio. Not only do they have great shows and local volunteer DJs, but they also keep you in the loop about community events. I'm currently listening to Swing Session, and Polka Time is up next. Honestly, what's not to love?
Pringle and I went for a great hike this morning at Carlton Peak. The pup was a trooper, although he did get the zoomies and run around like a loony toon at unpredictable times. The trail, part of the SHT, was very well maintained and beautiful the whole way out and back. The view from the top was perfection. The only issue was the mosquitos, which I hear are particularly bad this year. Overall, I give it a 9/10, pretty good for our first hike.
We also visited the Grand Marais Arts Festival, and had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Betsy Bowen! Betsy is well known in Minnesota for her woodblock prints and illustrated children's books. I was first exposed to printmaking through her work, and it was incredible to meet the woman behind the press. She inspired me to continue searching for somewhere to make relief prints in the Twin Cities.
I would be remiss if I didn't give Voyageur Brewing a shoutout here as well. Voyageur was where I had my first legal beer in the US back in 2015. Since then, they have expanded and now have a dog-friendly patio with a full menu! Pringle enjoyed trying to eat the deck while I enjoyed a blueberry sour (honestly a little too sweet for my taste, but when in Rome!).
We're excited to be up here all week before we go into the Boundary Waters next Sunday, so if you have any North Shore recommendations, please send them our way!
Happy Trails!
